The signing of the UN covenant brings us foursquare into a strong international network for good governance.

Graft and corruption in the face of poverty is an anomaly comparable in its effects to the threat and dread of terrorism.

We have made strong gains against corruption and our determination and action to clean up the government will not relent.

The government is committed to stamp out graft and corruption in the same degree we are committed to raise revenues and grow the economy to create jobs.

"In the remotest barangays in the region, majority of our youth are unable to avail themselves of good education because of poverty. So, this agenda of the President will be supported by all government officials, especially elected officials," he added.

MIAG-AO, Iloilo - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today she will decide by next week whether or not she would order a ceasefire in the ongoing military operations in Sulu against a breakaway group of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

She told media representatives here she will send Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Efren Abu to Sulu to assess the situation there more than two weeks after MNLF renegades launched an attack on government forces which triggered the renewed hostilities.

The President explained that a decision to order a ceasefire would depend on actual conditions in the conflict-affected province.

"I am sending General Abu to the area (Sulu) so he will be there until Tuesday and Wednesday. Probably on Thursday he will submit his report to me," the President said.

The Chief Executive met with members of the local media at the conference room of the Miag-ao municipal hall after her visit this morning to Barangay Indag-an to observe the famous handloom weaving industry in the locality.

MIAG-AO, Iloilo - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited today the handloom weaving industry in this town to showcase the unwavering support of the national government to the growing micro-small-medium enterprises through her "One Town, One Product " project.

The President landed at the Iloilo Airport at around 10:00 A.M. and travelled almost one hour by land to Barangay Indag-an in Miag-ao town, where she was met by British Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Beckingham, Iloilo Governor Neil Tupas, Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin, and Miag-ao Mayor Gerardo Flores.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales and Ms. Gina De Venecia, wife of House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., accompanied the President in her visit here.

In her opening statement during a media interaction, the President said she visited this "hablon country" in order to showcase one of her main priority programs, which is to generate more livelihood and job opportunities through her "One Town, One Product, One Million Jobs" project.

The "One Town, One Product, One Million Jobs" Project was launched when she first assumed the presidency in 2001.

The project is part of her program to support the three-million job entrepreneurs out of the 10 million jobs to be created in six years, through the help of micro-small and medium-term enterprises.

"I am very happy to be able to visit the weaving project (here) which is supported by the British government, and that is why I an happy to welcome the British Ambassador here," the chief Executive said.

Handloom weaving is an age-old industry in Iloilo Province, particularly in Miag-ao, where commercial weaving of the "hablon" fabric enjoyed its heyday between the 1950s and the 1970s.

The industry suffered a decline due to competition from newly- developed fabrics produced by modern textile mills.

The Department of Trade and Industry began reviving the handloom industry in 1990.

During the media interaction, the President also announced that she would be back in Iloilo on March 3 and 4 to inspect the other priority development projects of the national government in the province.

Replying to a query why she chose to visit Miag-ao today, she said she wanted to personally see the improvement of a "very important project," which is part of the programs of her administration to create job opportunities in Iloilo.

Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye has said the flame of unity shown by the Filipinos in EDSA in 1986 should be kept burning up to this time when the government is determined to eliminate poverty and corruption.

In a radio interview this morning, the Press Secretary said that if in 1986, the Filipinos’ solidarity toppled down a political tyranny, this unity could now be harnessed to solve the current problems confronting the country.

"We can solve any problem if we are united. We can use the same solidarity shown by the Filipino people 19 years ago to deal with other tyrannies, such as the tyranny of corruption and tyranny of poverty," Bunye, who is also the Presidential Spokesman, said.

He said this kind of solidarity was shown again at EDSA during the observance of the 19^th anniversary of EDSA I Friday when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and witnessed the signing of the commitments of support and cooperation agreement between the Coalition Against Corruption and seven government agencies.

It is important, Bunye stressed, to stop the practice of bribery, and to ensure that funds that should go to development and other pro-poor projects do not end up in the pockets of corrupt people.

He advised the public or any private individual to report corruption cases to the Office of the Ombudsman or to the President, who had earlier tasked Secretary Merceditas Gutierrez as the country’s anti-corruption czar, if they are not satisfied with the resolution of cases at the local level.

The Press Secretary cited Hong Kong which had emerged from being one of the most corrupt governments decades ago to one of the least corrupt governments in a span of seven years, when the people united and established the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

He said Tony Kwok, who organized ICAC and is now helping the Philippines by coordinating with government agencies and conducting seminars, has expressed confidence that with the President’s resolve, the country can make a turnaround in just three years.

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today distributed here checks amounting to P12.648 million to five beneficiaries that would help implement her electricity and water for all barangays program and create opportunities for livelihood and six to 10 million jobs included in her 10-point "BEAT THE ODDS" pro-poor legacy agenda.

The President was assisted by Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Vice President for the Visayas Iniego Varon in distributing a check each to a local government unit (LGU) and four cooperatives.

The distribution of the checks coincided with the closing ceremony of the annual regional convention of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP) – Eastern Visayas Chapter at the Kanhuraw Convention Center in Tacloban City.

A P2.249-million check representing the initial funding release from the P16.78-million loan to finance the Level III Water Supply System Project of the Municipality of San Sebastian in the Province of Samar was received by San Sebastian Mayor Arnold Abalos.

Another P6.468-million check was released to Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corp. Assistant Vice President Alex Oreta to finance livelihood projects such as piggery, mudcrab production, sari-sari stores, fish culture, palay production, transport and eateries that would benefit at least 276 small farmers, fisherfolk and micro-entrepreneur sub-borrowers with new job opportunities.

Basak Multipurpose Cooperative Chairman Jose Narlito Uy, representing the Basak-Layog Multipurpose Cooperative in Tabango, Leyte, was also a recipient of a P1.252-million loan package for livelihood projects of 61 farmers, fishermen and micro-entrepreneurs in their area.

A check worth P514,000 was also released to the Fatima Multi-Purpose Cooperative chairman in Calubian, Leyte, representing the full release of its loan from the LBP’s assistance in initiating livelihood programs.

Metro Ormoc Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative Chairman Gloria Pastor represented the group in accepting the P2.163-million loan assistance for its livelihood programs that include the trading of frozen products, RTW’s, ukay-ukay, nipa shingles, mineral water, rice, processed meat products, Avon products, groceries and cakes, crop production, piggery and low-cost construction venture that would generate job opportunities and economic activity to at least 137 cooperative members.

Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas Victor Domingo, Leyte Vice Governor Mimyette Bagulaya, Leyte 1st District Rep. Remedios Petilla, 4th District Rep. Eufrocino Codilla Sr., 5th District Rep. Carmen Cari, Tacloban City Mayor Alfredo Romualdez Sr., 8th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Jovito Palparan, Philippine National Police Regional Director Gen. Dionisio Coloma, Air Transportation Office Manager Dalisay Muertegui, and An Waray Party List Rep. Florencio Noel, welcomed the President upon her arrival this afternoon at the Daniel Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City.

TACLOBAN CITY–President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is optimistic that the Congress bicameral conference committee will approve the 2005 General Appropriations Act (GAA) next month.

Addressing the annual regional convention here of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP)-Eastern Visayas Chapter, the President thanked members of the House of Representatives and the Senate for their approval of the national budget.

She said that the action of the two chambers was a clear indication that the proposed 2005 GAA would enjoy smooth sailing when the bicameral conference committee takes up the final version of the budget proposal.

"With the passage of the national budget in the House and in the Senate, we expect its approval in the bicameral conference committee next month," she said.

The President added that enactment of the 2005 GAA would be a milestone in helping the country make a turnaround and in providing investments for the uplift of the quality of life of unprivileged Filipinos.

"Passing our national budget allows the government to cut ways for spending and invest in the poor. Our budget will enable us to cut ways and abuse from unnecessary government programs, redirect taxpayers funds to invest in important programs, to stop climbs, create jobs, and educate our children," she said.

The Chief Executive also assured the vice mayors of her administration’s commitment to fiscal reforms and discipline as she vowed to increase revenues to finance much-needed investments for job creation, health and education.

"We face great opportunities in an economy that is growing with confidence. Our frameworks for action are our national and local budgets which define both the direction and the fore of our efforts at security and development, at peace and social amelioration," the President said.